Bistable polarized electromagnetic relay

ABSTRACT

A bistable electromagnetic relay is disclosed including two movable armatures whose free ends occupy one of two stable states. The armatures cooperate with stationary counter poles to define air gaps. Permanent magnets including a flux return path longitudinal to the armature, through the air gaps and a magnetic core and a flux guide bow hold the armature stable in one of the no-current stable states. A field winding having a separate flux return path diagonal to the longitudinal permanent magnetic field in the region of the air gap is excited to change the state of the relay armatures.

United States Patent [191 Braumann et al.

{ ]March 20, 1973 BISTABLE POLARIZED ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY [73]Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Berlin and Munich, Germany [22]Filed: July 30, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 167,567

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1935 Edwards", ..335/l792/1955 Bernstein ..335/179 as as 5s 51. 65

3,001,048 9/1961 Rhodes ..335/l79 3,253,095 5/1966 Richert .....335/l793,414,851 12/1968 Braumann.... ..,..335/l06 3,441,883 4/1969 Alletru..335/l79 Primary Examiner-Harold Broome Attorneyl-larold J. Birch etal.

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT A bistable electromagnetic relay is disclosed includingtwo movable armatures whose free ends occupy one of two stable states.The arrnatures cooperate with stationary counter poles to define airgaps. Permanent magnets including a flux return path longitudinal to thearmature, through the air gaps and a magnetic core and a flux guide bowhold the armature stable in one of the no-current stable states. A fieldwinding having a separate flux return path diagonal to the longitudinalpermanent magnetic field in the region of the air gap is excited tochange the state of the relay armatures.

20 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEBHARZOISIS SHEET 1 [IF 3PATENTEDIMRZOISB I 721 SHEET 2 BF 3 Fig.3

Fig.4

PATEHTEDHARZ 01973 SHEET 3 BF 3 Fig.5

BISTABLE POLARIZED ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Theinvention is concerned with a bistable polarized electromagnetic relayfor telecommunication installations including at least one permanentmagnet providing its magnetic bias and the no-current adhesion of itsmovable iron parts in a stable respective end-position. In a particularembodiment the relay may include contacts encapsulated in anon-oxidizing atmosphere.

Known relays of the aforementioned type, as found in the telegraphytechnology, possess almost without exception a magnetizable armature,usually constructed simultaneously as a section of the electricalcontact mechanism of the relay, and two stationary magnetic counterpoles and electric counter contacts, between which the armature moves inaccordance with the polarizing direction of the electromagnetic controlflux, to the limits of its two stable end positions. In relays of thisconstruction, in which alternately only one of the two switchingmechanisms can cooperate with the armature, the development of thecontact apparatus of the relay is naturally restricted with respect tothe number of contact sections, i.e., with respect to the type ofswitching arrangement which may be adopted. Moreover, there is thedisadvantage with these known relays, that eithertheir switching speedor their contact pressure is adversely influenced, because the armatureis to be saturated in its longitudinal direction by the control flux,which is to be much stronger than the permanent magnetic flux. Thearmature therefore must be established to be correspondingly large, in asize sufficient for the guidance of this control flux, i.e., in a sizedecisively influencing the switching speed. There is a furtherdisadvantage with other known relays of the above-described type, inthat they have a poor magnetic efficiency, because the permanent magnetflux and the control flux are connected magnetically in series, and apermanent magnet represents, as is well known, a very high magneticresistance with a conductance on the order of magnitude of air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The purpose of the present invention is toremove the aforementioned disadvantages and to create a relay of thetype described whose contact mechanism is abundantly variable, whichfurther possesses a good magnetic efficiency with high contact pressureand fast switching speed and which is characterized in addition by anuncomplicated construction with as small as possible a number of singlecomponents.

This is achieved in accordance with the invention in that the relayincludes two movable stored magnetic armatures, whose free ends in theone of the two stable end positions of the armature form respectively amagnetic operational air gap with a stationary magnetic counter poleplaced between them and comprised preferably of two parts coupledmagnetically together. A permanent magnet and a field winding arecoupled magnetically with the armatures over flux conducting componentson the outer side opposite the operational air gap such that thepermanent magnet flux and the control flux produced by the field windinghave two separate magnetic return paths whereby the armatures aresaturated on the one hand by the permanent magnet flux in theirlongitudinal direction, but on the other hand by the control fluxdiagonally to their longitudinal direction in the region of theoperating air gap.

These measures assure that first of all, in contrast to known relays ofthe type mentioned in the beginning, the contact apparatus for practicalpurposes provides double the number of contact sections, because the twoarmatures activate simultaneously two contact mechanisms, which ifnecessary can be connected with each other electrically. With thisfunctional enlargement of the contact mechanism, the region ofapplication of the relay is also automatically widened significantlywithin the framework of complicated switching tasks, for example withinthe technology of telecommunications. Secondly, an optimal switchingspeed is achieved simultaneously with a high contact pressure, becausethe armatures are saturated in their longitudinal direction only by therelatively small permanent magnet flux and thus can have acorrespondingly small mass, while the control flux saturating thearmatures diagonally in the region of the operational air gap may beestablished to be large in the sense of a high contact pressure, withoutthe danger of a magnetic saturation of the armatures. Through theindependent magnetic return paths for the permanent magnet flux and thecontrol flux there is in addition, with this invention, the

known great advantage of a clean separation of the two fluxes, whichserves to achieve a much'easier proportioning and a near faultlessmagnetic method of opera tion of the relay.

In accordance with a further modification of the invention the fluxconducting parts serving to couple the permanent magnet fluxmagnetically to the armatures are installed in the neighborhood of thestorage place of the armatures, a great advantage is achieved in thatthe magnetic contact resistance between the permanent magnet and thearmature is almost always equally large independent of its position,because the armature remains essentially unmoved in the region of itsstorage place, and the air gap for coupling between permanent magnet andarmature remains also practically constant.

A particularly useful embodiment of the invention is achieved when, inaccordance with another modified embodiment of the invention, a magneticcounter pole is used comprising two parts, and a magnetizable core isprovided, which couples the aforementioned two parts of the magneticcounter pole magnetically with each other at its one end region,maintaining an electrical isolation, the core being enclosed in the partattached here by at least one field winding, and is connectedmagnetically at its other end with a flux conducting plate, whichincludes two perpendicular extensions opposite the armatures in theregion of the operational air gap for the magnetic coupling of the fieldwinding, and two further perpendicular extensions for the magneticcoupling of two permanent magnets to the armatures. This embodiment ofthe relay provides several important advantages, of which one consistsin the fact that the field winding(s) and the permanent magnet(s) arequite widely separated from each other, so that a change in induction ofthe permanent magnet(s) through heat transfer, as could arise throughthermal hardship on the field winding, is thoroughly avoided. Themagnetic relationships of the relay and therewith its operational valuesremain therefore (advantageously) constant. Moreover, a straightforwardproduction of the flux conducting components is guaranteed and theassembly of the individual parts of the relay is significantlysimplified, because in place of several single components, only one ispresent and must be assembled.

In a further modification of the last described embodiment of theinvention, the leg of the plate running parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the field winding is provided with a hollow space of such extentthat two stays are supported in its cross-section, sufficient for theconducting of the active magnetic flux to less than the magneticsaturation limit. This measure provides for the least possiblereciprocal diffusion influence of closely adjacent relays of the typedescribed as used for example in telephone systems. Specifically, bymeans of the hollow space the flux conducting cross section of the fluxconducting plate is significantly reduced and undesired coupling withneighboring relays is thus eliminated.

In accordance with further modification of the invention, the leg of theplate running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the field winding isprovided with a slit, beginning from the end bent toward theperpendicular extensions and extending at least over half the length ofthe leg, i.e., opening into the hollow space. The extensions thus have acertain resilience so that they lean against the components of the relayto be coupled to them, for example against a casing containing thearmatures and the contact mechanism, thereby providing against certaintolerances in the components. The plate thus is always connected undermechanical bias or tension and thereby magnetically saturated.

Another embodiment of the invention provides that the flux conductingcomponents providing the magnetic coupling of the control flux and thepermanent magnet flux are extended as two essentially U-shaped fiuxconducting bows. This enables an arrangement of the field winding whichdiffers from the examples described previously and which can be of usedepending on the space available for installation of the relay.

In accordance with a further modification of the last describedembodiment of the invention, the flux conducting U-shaped bow serving asthe magnetic coupling of the control flux to the armatures can beconstructed of two L-shaped flux conducting joints, which is technicallymore easily executed than the construction of the U-shaped bow from asingle piece. This also enables the use of a separately wound fieldwinding, as provided in another modification of the invention, whichencloses the base stay of the U-shaped flux conducting bow.

In contrast, the other U-shapcd flux conducting bow can be constructedin accordance with a further modification of the invention so that apermanent magnet is fastened on each of the free ends of the legs of theU-shaped flux conducting bow carrying the permanent magnet flux.

In accordance with a further modification of the invention the permanentmagnets are fastened to be movable in the direction of the longitudinalaxis of the armatures. There results a most simple and yet effective wayto adjust for the permanent magnet flux affecting the armatures, becausewith the displacement of the permanent magnets first of all the air gapbetween them and the armatures is changed and secondly the operativelever with respect to the swivel point of the armatures is changed.

In accordance with a further modification of the invention, theperpendicular extensions providing the magnetic coupling of the controlflux and the permanent magnet flux, i.e., the U-shaped flux conductingbows, can be connected magnetically with each other, preferably throughsingle piece construction in a common magnetizable plate. In thepresence of two permanent magnets to some extent a magnetic parallelswitching circuit thereby results, i.e., each permanent magnet has itsown magnetic path over the appointed armature and a part of the fluxconducting components. Such a magnetic parallel switching of thepermanent magnets can be of advantage for example, should the twoarmatures be differently installed, for reasons yet to be mentioned. Incontrast hereto there is, when the two named flux conducting componentsare not magnetically connected with each other, a magnetic seriesswitching of two available permanent magnets, which for its part canhave certain advantages, for example, a forced effect in the activationof the armatures, i.e., of the contact sections coupled mechanicallywith the armatures.

If, in accordance with a particularly useful embodiment of theinvention, the armatures and, insofar as a two-part magnetic counterpole is used, its parts are installed symmetrically to the axis andopposite each other as in a mirror image, then this arrangement providesa clear, space saving method of construction of the relay and a simple,symmetrical formation of the fiux conducting components.

A space and cost saving method of construction of the relay is furtheredwhen, in accordance with an example of the invention the armaturesand/or the magnetic counterpole are utilized as electric conductors.

In reference to the contact mechanism of the relay, it can be realizedin several variations.

Thus an exemplary embodiment of the invention provides that thearmatures and/or the magnetic counter pole are constructedsimultaneously as parts of the electrical contact device of the relayand are so equipped in their contact-making, coordinated areaspreferably with contact material. The most simple form of the contactapparatus thereby results which first of all has a space-saving methodof construction, and secondly a reduction of costs in the production ofthe relay, because in place of special contact components, components ofthe relay already present are utilized.

If, in accordance with a further modification of the invention the relayis conversely equipped with one or more separate electrical contactmechanisms which can be activated by the armatures, this then requiresspecial contact components, but on the other hand results in the greatadvantage, that in addition to a simple operating or resting contact,complicated contact sequences can be built, so that the area ofapplication of the relay is significantly widened.

The universality of the relay in reference to its contact mechanism isfurther improved when in accordance with a further modification of theinvention the relay is equipped with two contact mechanisms of differentcontact type, which can be activated by an armature.

Further, the method of operation of the relay can be varied in stillanother way so that in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention instead of a permanent magnet a component of identicaldimensions made of soft-magnetic material is used. In this manner anarmature, for example, and the contact mechanism belonging thereto canbe operated polarized, whereas the other armature and its contactmechanism are activated with every control impulse regardless ofpolarity.

Finally, a version of the invention provides that the relay is equippedwith two field windings effecting the activation of the armatures onlyby their coincidental energization. In this way, the activation of thearmatures and therewith of the contact mechanism of the relay can beaccomplished dependent upon two simultaneously present control impulsesof specific magnitude, as is for example, of interest inthe control ofindividual coupling points in telephone systems.

A form of the relay which is easy to produce and especially inexpensiveto assemble is provided when in accordance with an especially usefulversion of the invention, armatures formed as flat plates and counterpole plates of a two-part magnetic counter pole are fastened in a knownmanner to individual spring plates, preferably through electrical spotwelding. These spring plates themselves are latched in pairs by means ofclamps attaching them to a spacing piece determining the operational airgap between an armature and a counter pole plate, the piece beingpreferably of selfclarnping ceramic material. This method of aselfclamping latching of iron ring parts, known with magneticallyactivated switching systemsand tried in practice, provides simplifiedproduction of the armatures and magnetic counter poles and also a veryquick and other by snap elements, and serves for the reception of aswell as the mechanical stability of and simultaneously the protection ofthe relay. Of the individual parts of the relay, 2 denotes a contactcartridge, 3 its connection elements sticking out of theprotectivehousing, 4 a field winding wound around a mandrel (notvisible) between two flanges 5 and 6 of the protective housing, 7 theirconnection elements and finally 8 denotes a flux conducting bow, whichoutside of the magnetic flux conduction serves simultaneously also forthe mechanical securing of two permanent magnets, of which only the onevisible is denoted by 9. All aforenamed components of the relay arelocked self-clamping in the protective casing l in an economicalassembly without screws or clamps or such and the whole arrangementoffers a mechanically stable unit. Thus, by means of the clearlyrecognizable extension of various connection elements from the base ofthe relay, a simple electrical wiring of the relay on a perforated platewith printed or wired wiring can be achieved.

In FIG. 2 one can recognize more clearly the individual parts mentionedin the preceding; namely, the bottom part of a protective housing 10,which essentially has a chamber 11 with leading parts 12 and hollowspaces 13 for the reception and correctly positioned, self-clampingmechanical securing of a contact therefore inexpensive assembly of theseparate parts of the relay. 7

The life span of the relay, especially of its contact mechanism, issignificantly increased when in accordance with a further modificationof the invention at least the contact mechanism of the relay isencapsulated in a casing filled preferably with inert gas. Thereby the.sensitive parts of the relay are protected first of all against amechanical damage and secondly are isolated against harmful chemicalassaults.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows an operational relayrepresented in perspective, partly cut away;

FIG. 2 shows single parts of the relay shown in FIG.

1, in a smaller, exploded representation; FIG. 3 shows the parts of arelay necessary for an understanding of the magnetic and electrical modeof operation, in the rest position, shown simplified, and partially cutaway;

FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of FIG. 3 in the operating position;

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a relay following the method'ofrepresentation of FIG. 3, again in the rest position;

FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of FIG. 5 in the operating'position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In FIG. 1 the casing of plastic 1,not shown in detail, consists of several individual parts, latched toeach cartridge 14 as well as two flanges 15 and 16, between which awinding 17 is placed. The ends of the wires of this winding 17 aredirected over exit channels 18 to connection elements 19, which can beunilaterally sunk in chambers 20 of the flange 16 and which protrudefrom the opposite side of the protective casing in a visible manner andprovide the outside electrical connection of the winding. The previouslymentioned contact cartridge 14 is of known construction with twocontacts encapsulated in a nonoxidizing atmosphere in an unmagnetizedflat protective tube 21 with a mount 22. The electrical connections exitthe mount 22 gas-tight through compressed, pressurized glass beadings23. The core 24 which penetrates the face of the protective tube 21consists of magnetizable material and provides the magnetic connectionbetween the contact cartridge 14 and the field winding 17. Thenon-visible end of this core 24 is magnetically coupled on the inside ofthe contact cartridge with the stationary magnetic counter pole platesand the outer visible part of the field winding 17 is enclosed therein.On the free end the core 24 has a graduation 25 for the magneticconnection of a corresponding nozzle 26o f a flux conducting bow 27.This flux conducting bow 27 is bent in the indicated manner andbifurcated by a slit 28, which provides the decoupling adapts of themagnetic fluxes of the two contact systems and adapts the two ends ofthis flux conducting bow to provide a resilient, magnetically saturatedconnection to various tolerances of component connections with thecontact cartridge 14. The hollow 29 prevents an undesired high magneticcoupling of neighboring relays of the type described within a multiplearrangement. From the free ends of the flux conducting bow 27, theextensions 30 and 31 provide the magnetic connection between one pole ofthe field winding 17 and the non-visible two armatures on the inside ofthe contact cartridge 14 near the operational air gap, whereby theseextensions lie saturated and under tension against the protective tube21.

The pieces 32 and 33 of these extensions 30 and 31, in contrast, arebent at right angles and carry respectively a permanent magnet 34 (35),whose position can be adjusted in a certain region parallel to thelongitudinal ,axis of the contact cartridge by means of two clamp plates36 and 37.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, a contact cartridge is shown including protective tube38, mount 39 and connection elements 40, the cartridgebeing filled withinert gas. On the inside of this contact cartridge there arerespectively two armatures 41 and 42, built of magnetizable materialalong with magnetic counter pole plates 43 and 44, which in the circuitof the relay in FIG. 3 form two magnetic operating air gaps 45 and 46.The armatures as well as the counter pole plates are fastened in a knownmanner respectively to the spring plates 47, 48, 49, and 50, preferablyby electrical spot welding. The spring plates for their part are latchedto ceramic rollers 51 and 52 by means of self-clamping clamps, wherebythe armatures 41 and 42 are naturally connected movably with their ownspring plates 47 and 48. In addition, contact tongues 53 and 54 areattached simultaneously to the spring plates 47 and 48, carrying thearmatures 41 and 42 and operate together with counter contacts 55 and 56in the arrangement of the armatures shown in FIG. 4. Counter contacts 55and 56 are placed on the counter pole plates 43 and 44 and are connectedelectrically thereover with the spring plates 49 and 50. The mechanicalsecuring of the aforenamed components in the contact cartridge isachieved by means of connection elements 40, into which the springplates 47-50 are inserted and soldered or welded on the inside of thecontact cartridge (not shown). The mechanical striations of the springplates hold the components in their place. Further, a holding plate canbe provided, also not shown, which is clamped over the ends of theceramic rollers 51 and 52 opposite the mount 38, and this holds therollers at a defined interval from each other. Further, on the inside ofthe contact cartridge part of a magnetizable core 57 is present, whichin a clearly recognizable way connects the two counter pole plates 43and 44 with each other and penetrates the protective gas-tight tube 38opposite the mount 39.

Outside of the contact cartridge the previously mentioned core 57 isenclosed by a field winding (not visible) and eventually coupledmagnetically at its free end opposite the mount 39 with a fluxconducting bow 58, which is constructed after the manner of the bowshown in FIG. 2. This flux conducting bow 58 has two extensions 59 and60, which lie opposite the operating air gaps 45 and 46 saturated andunder mechanical tension against the protective tube 38 and in this waytends the one pole of the abovementioned field winding to theoperational air gaps 45 and 46. Further, the flux conducting bow 58 hastwo extensions 61 and 62, to which two permanent magnets 63 and 64 arefastened, which provide the magnetic bias and polarizing of the relay.

The method of operation of the examples of the invention shown in FIGS.3 and 4 is as follows: I

FIG. 3 shows one of two stable switching positions of the relay in whichthe two armatures 41 and 42 form respectively an operating air gap 45(46) with the counter pole plates 43 and 44 under the effect of themagnetic bias fluxes proceeding from the two permanent magnets 63 and,64. The armatures remain in this position until the winding (not shown)enclosing the core 57 is excited in the polarizing direction shown asfully extended arrows. The magnetic bias flux proceeding from the twopermanent magnets 63 and 64 closes, as indicated by dashed arrows, forthe most part immediately over one part of the armatures and theextension 59/61, (60/62) and for the remaining part over the operatingair gaps 45 (46), the core 57, the flux conducting bow 58 and theextensions 61 (62). Thereby, the electrical contact between the contacttongues 53/54 and the counter contacts 55/56 is understandablyinterrupted. If the winding enclosing the core 57 is now electricallyexcited, then the control flux created thereby closes over the fluxconducting bow 58, the extension 59 (60) and the counter pole plates 43(44), whereby it saturates the armature 41 (42) magnetically in theregion of the operating air gap 45 (46) such that the existing magneticbias flux is amplified and the armatures are moved into the other stableposition shown in FIG. 4, whereby they close the electrical contactsbetween the parts 53/55 (54/56).

armatures remain nonetheless in the last position taken in accordancewith FIG. 4, because the predominant part of the magnetic bias fluxesproceeding from the permanent magnets 63 and 64 now close over thecounter pole plate 43 (44), the core 57, the flux conducting bow 58 andthe extension 61 (62). Only when current is again run through thewinding, opposite the previous polarization direction, as shown by fullyextended arrows, then the magnetic bias fluxes in the two operation airgaps are compensated and the armatures return under the influence of thecontrol flux generated by the winding to the position shown in FIG. 3.

No operational essential is changed in this described method ofoperation, when in place of the indicated examples other versions ofelectrical contacts are provided. Thus, it is noted within the frameworkof the invention that in place of the indicated operating contacts, backcontacts, alternating contacts or even combined, for example so-calledsequence contacts can be placed, and that in the simplest case in placeof separate contact components activated by the armatures also a directcontact between the armatures and the counter pole plates is possible. i

The relay shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 contains essentially the samecomponents as the relay shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and differs there frompractically only by a different magnetic cooling of the field windingand the permanent magnets. That is, while in the examples of FIGS. 3 and4 a flux conducting how 58 is present and is so constructed that itsextensions 59 through 62 are connected magnetically with each other, inthe examples of FIGS. 5 and 6 there exist two flux conducting bowsseparated from each other magnetically, on the one hand for the fieldwinding and on the other hand for the permanent magnets. With thearrangements of FIGS. 3 and 4, therefore, in consequence of the magneticconnection between the extensions 59 through 62 of the flux conductingbow 58, the two permanent magnets 63 and 64 are, so to speak,magnetically parallel, whereas in the arrangement of FIGS. 5 and 6 theyare connected in series, as will be described in greater If theelectrical excitation is now shut off, then the are led to electricalconnection parts not further represented, whereby they simultaneouslymechanically secure the components built into the contact cartridge. Ofthese components 41 and 42 denote two magnetizable armatures, which withmagnetic counter pole plates 43 and 44 form two operational air gaps 45and 46, when they assume the position shown in FIG. 5.

The armatures and the counter contact plates are fastened to springplates 47 through 50, which themselves are latched to ceramic rollers 51and 52 by means of self-clamping clamps. Contact tongues 53 and 54,which are cut out of the spring plates 47 (48) cooperate with electricalcounter contacts 55 and 56,

producing contacts when the armatures assume the other of the two stableswitching positions of the relay, shown in FIG. 6. A magnetizable core57, diverting from the arrangement of FIGS. 3 and 4, provides only themagnetic coupling of the two counter pole plates 43 and 44 within thecontact cartridge but has no function outside of the contact cartridge.Part 65 is a flux conducting bow, U-shaped or formed from two L-shapedpieces, which is enclosed on a base bar of a non-visible field winding.In similar manner, a second flux conducting bow 66 is formed whichcarries on the ends of its legs two permanent magnets 63 and 64.

The method of operation of this relay shown in FIGS.

and 6 corresponds essentially to that of the relay in FIGS. 3 and 4, sothat to avoid repetition it will not be described again. Note, though,the different course of the magnetic bias flux, which is indicated bythe dashed arrows. It is further evident that with this arrangement thetwo permanent magnets 63 and 64 are connected magnetically in series, incontrast to the arrangement of FIGS. 3 and 4, since the two permanentmagnets each lack their own magnetic return path.

In addition to this version of the invention, other embodiments of thedescribed relay system are possible which lie within the scope of theinvention.

We claim:

1. A bistable polarized electromagnetic relay having at least onepermanent magnet for providing magnetic bias and no-current adhesion ofthe movable relay contact parts, the relay comprising:

a pair of movable, magnetizable armatures having longitudinal anddiagonal stable positions, said relay being closed in one of saidpositions, each said armature having a pivot end and a free end, saidfree end cooperating with a stationary magnetic pole to form an air gap,

at least one flux conducting component,

first means for magnetically coupling said permanent magnet to saidarmatures forming first flux paths, said first flux paths beinglongitudinal of said armatures and including said flux conductingcomponent and a flux return path,

field winding means, and

second means for magnetically coupling said field windings to saidarmatures to form, with a second flux return path over said fluxconducting component, a second flux path, said second means beingconstructed and arranged so that control flux from said field windingmeans proceeds diagonally relative to said first flux path in saidarmatures in the region of said air gap.

2. The relay of claim 1, wherein the flux conducting component 61/62, 66providing the magnetic coupling of the permanent magnet to the armatureis placed near the pivot end of the armatures 41, 42.

3. The relay of claim 1 further comprising a magnetizable core includingsaid stationary magnetic poles for maintaining magnetic coupling to saidpoles, while maintaining electrical isolation, said core being at leastpartially enclosed by said field winding means,

said flux conducting component comprising a flux conducting plateconnected at one end to the other end of said core, said plate includingat the other end thereofa first pair of extensions opposite the free endof the first and second armatures in the region of their associatedoperating air gaps,

and a second pair of extensions for the magnetic coupling of saidpermanent magnet to the respective armatures. 4. The relay of claim 3,wherein the flux conducting plate 27 includes a leg parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the field winding 17, said leg including a hollowspace dividing the leg into two bars having a cross-sec-- tionaldimension sufficient for the conductance of the magnetic operating fluxto a value less than the magnetic saturation limit.

5. The relay of claim 4, wherein the leg of the flux conducting plate 27parallel to the longitudinal axis of the field winding l7'includes aslit running from said other end of the plate to said hollow space, thebars extending the length of the leg, each bar carrying one of each ofsaid first and second pairs of extensions.

6. The relay of claim 1 including at least a second permanent magnetmagnetically coupled in a third flux path with said armatures andwherein the flux conducting components establishing the flux paths ofthe control flux and the permanent magnet flux to the said armaturescomprises two essentially U-shaped flux conducting bows.

7. The relay of claim 6, wherein the U-shaped flux conducting bow 65establishing the magnetic coupling of the control flux to the armatures41, 42 comprises two L-shaped flux conducting joints.

8. The relay of claim 6, wherein the base stay of the U-shaped fluxconducting bow 65 includes a base stay enclosed by at least one fieldwinding.

9. The relay of claim 6, wherein a said permanent magnet 63, 64 isfastened respectively on each of the free ends of the legs of theU-shaped first flux path conducting bow 66 providing the magneticcoupling of the permanent magnet flux to the armature.

10. The relay of claim 3, wherein the permanent magnets 34, 35 arefastened movably in the direction of the longitudinal axis of thearmatures 36, 37.

11. The relay of claim 3, including a flux conducting plate adjacentsaid operating air gaps, carrying said permanent magnets adjacent saidarmatures and magnetically coupling and providing in part a common pathto the said permanent magnet flux and said control flux.

12. The relay of claim 11, wherein the armatures and associated magneticpoles are placed opposite each other as in a mirror image and symmetricwith respect to a longitudinal axis of the relay.

13. The relay of claim 9, wherein a pair of permanent magnets 34, 35 arefastened movably in the direction of the longitudinal axis of thearmatures 36, 37.

14. The relay of claim 12, wherein the armatures and the magnetic polesinclude in their contact-making, coordinating regions electricallyconductive contact material whereby they serve as electrical conductors.

15. The relay of claim 1 including an electrical contact coupled to thefixed ends of the armatures, the electrical state of the contact beingdetermined by the latest end position of the armature.

l6. The relay of claim 15, including two contact mechanisms of differentcontact types which can be activated by an armature.

17. The relay of claim 1, including a soft magnet defining a third fluxpath with one of said armatures, said pole piece and the flux conductingcomponent.

18. The relayof claim 1, further including a second field winding, theactivation of the armature being effected only in response tocoincidental energization of both windings.

19. The relay of claim 3, including a spring plate attached to each ofsaid armatures and said associated stationary poles, the pairs of springplates carrying said first armature and pole and said second armatureand pole being attached to first and second spacing pieces,respectively, thereby establishing the first and second air gaps.

20. The relay of claim 3, including contact tongues attached to saidfirst and said second armatures, and counter contacts attached to saidpole pieces, at'least said contact tongues and counter contacts beingencapsulated in a protective casing filled with inert gas.

1. A bistable polarized electromagnetic relay having at least onepermanent magnet for providing magnetic bias and no-current adhesion ofthe movable relay contact parts, the relay comprising: a pair ofmovable, magnetizable armatures having longitudinal and diagonal stablepositions, said relay being closed in one of said positions, each saidarmature having a pivot end and a free end, said free end cooperatingwith a stationary magnetic pole to form an air gap, at least one fluxconducting component, first means for magnetically coupling saidpermanent magnet to said armatures forming first flux paths, said firstflux paths being longitudinal of said armatures and including said fluxconducting component and a flux return path, field winding means, andsecond means for magnetically coupling said field windings to saidarmatures to form, with a second flux return path over said fluxconducting component, a second flux path, said second means beingconstructed and arranged so that control flux from said field windingmeans proceeds diagonally relative to said first flux path in saidarmatures in the region of said air gap.
 2. The relay of claim 1,wherein the flux conducting component 61/62, 66 providing the magneticcoupling of the permanent magnet to the armature is placed near thepivot end of the armatures 41,
 42. 3. The relay of claim 1 furthercomprising a magnetizable core including said stationary magnetic polesfor maintaining magnetic coupling to said poles, while maintainingelectrical isolation, said core being at least partially enclosed bysaid field winding means, said flux conducting component comprising aflux conducting plate connected at one end to the other end of saidcore, said plate including at the other end thereof a first pair ofextensions opposite the free end of the first and second armatures inthe region of their associated operating air gaps, and a second pair ofextensions for the magnetic coupling of said permanent magnet to therespective armatures.
 4. The relay of claim 3, wherein the fluxconducting plate 27 includes a leg parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe field winding 17, said leg including a hollow space dividing the leginto two bars having a cross-sectional dimension sufficient for theconductance of the magnetic operating flux to a value less than themagnetic saturation limit.
 5. The relay of claim 4, wherein the leg ofthe flux conducting plate 27 parallel to the longitudinal axis of thefield winding 17 includes a slit running from said other end of theplate to said hollow space, the bars extending the length of the leg,each bar carrying one of each of said first and second pairs ofextensions.
 6. The relay of claim 1 including at least a secondpermanent magnet magnetically coupled in a third flux path with saidarmatures and wherein the flux conducting components establishing theflux paths of the control flux and the permanent magnet flux to the saidarmatures comprises two essentially U-shaped flux conducting bows. 7.The relay of claim 6, wherein the U-shaped flux conducting bow 65establishing the magnetic coupling of the control flux to the armatures41, 42 comprises two L-shaped flux conducting joints.
 8. The relay ofclaim 6, wherein the base stay of the U-shaped flux conducting bow 65includes a base stay enclosed by at least one field winding.
 9. Therelay of claim 6, wherein a said permanent magnet 63, 64 is fastenedrespectively on each of the free ends of the legs of the U-shaped firstflux path conducting bow 66 providing the magnetic coupling of thepermanent magnet flux to the armature.
 10. The relay of claim 3, whereinthe permanent magnets 34, 35 are fastened movably in the direction ofthe longitudinal axis of the armatures 36,
 37. 11. The relay of claim 3,including a flux conducting plate adjacent said operating air gaps,carrying said permanent magnets adjacent said armatures and magneticallycoupling and providing in part a common path to the said permanentmagnet flux and said control flux.
 12. The relay of claim 11, whereinthe armatures and associated magnetic poles are placed opposite eachother as in a mirror image and symmetric with respect to a longitudinalaxis of the relay.
 13. The relay of claim 9, wherein a pair of permanentmagnets 34, 35 are fastened movably in the direction of the longitudinalaxis of the armatures 36,
 37. 14. The relay of claim 12, wherein thearmatures and the magnetic poles include in their contact-making,coordinating regions electrically conductive contact material wherebythey serve as electrical conductors.
 15. The relay of claim 1 includingan electrical contact coupled to the fixed ends of the armatures, theelectrical state of the contact being determined by the latest endposition of the armature.
 16. The relay of claim 15, including twocontact mechanisms of different contact types which can be activated byan armature.
 17. The relay of claim 1, including a soft magnet defininga third flux path with one of said armatures, said pole piece and theflux conducting component.
 18. The relay of claim 1, further including asecond field winding, the activation of the armature being effected onlyin response to coincidental energization of both windings.
 19. The relayof claim 3, including a spring plate attached to each of said armaturesand said associated stationary poles, the pairs of spring platescarrying said first armature and pole and said second armature and polebeing attached to first and second spacinG pieces, respectively, therebyestablishing the first and second air gaps.
 20. The relay of claim 3,including contact tongues attached to said first and said secondarmatures, and counter contacts attached to said pole pieces, at leastsaid contact tongues and counter contacts being encapsulated in aprotective casing filled with inert gas.